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The Houston Astros and Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias announced the signing of Cal State Fullerton pitcher Thomas Eshelman. Eshelman was selected 46th overall by the Astros in the second round.
#Astros announce the signing of RHP Thomas Eshelman, selected in the second round of 2015 MLB First Year Player Draft.
— #VoteAltuve (@astros) July 1, 2015
Scouting director Mike Elias announced Eshelman will join the #Astros Gulf Coast League team.
— #VoteAltuve (@astros) July 1, 2015
Eshelman, 21, went 8-5 with a save and a 1.58 ERA (24ER/137IP) in 19 games (18 starts) for Cal State Fullerton this season, leading the Titans to the College World Series. Eshelman ranked fourth in the nation in strikeouts (139) and walked just four batters all year, giving him the nation's best strikeout to walk ratio (19.86) for the third consecutive season.
"Thomas has been one of the most successful and durable starters in the country over the last three years," said Elias. "He has a good pitcher's frame, a sound delivery and three Major League quality pitches. His control has been impeccable during his college career and he really knows how to pitch with his fastball."
The 2015 Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year was a 2015 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, and pitched for Team U.S.A. in 2014. During his three-year career at Fullerton, Eshelman went 28-11 with 321 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 games (50 starts) while posting the lowest ERA in school history at 1.65 (69ER/376.1IP).
"These accomplishments and abilities point to a starting pitcher who should be able to advance steadily in our program, and we are delighted to have signed him today," said Elias.
Houston has signed 33 of their 42 selections from the 2015 MLB Draft, including all selections in the top 10 rounds.
Jim Callis is reporting that Eshelman has signed for $1,100,000, the 46th pick's is valued at $1,325,700 - leaving $249,200 for players outside of the top ten rounds.
2nd-rder Thomas Eshelman signs w/@Astros for $1.1 mil (slot = $1,325,700). CS Fullerton RHP, best strike-thrower in NCAA history. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 1, 2015
| Round | Pick # | Name | Estimated Slot Value | Signed | Contract Signed | Above/Below |
| 1 | 2 | Alex Bregman | $7,420,100.00 | ✓ | $5,900,000.00 | -$1,520,100.00 |
| 1 | 5 | Kyle Tucker | $4,188,700.00 | ✓ | $4,000,000.00 | -$188,700.00 |
| CBA | 37 | Daz Cameron | $1,668,600.00 | ✓ | $4,000,000.00 | $2,331,400.00 |
| 2 | 46 | Thomas Eshelman | $1,325,700.00 | ✓ | $1,100,000.00 | -$225,700.00 |
| 3 | 79 | Riley Ferrell | $765,600.00 | ✓ | $1,000,000.00 | $234,400.00 |
| 4 | 109 | Anthony Hermelyn | $522,700.00 | ✓ | $250,000.00 | -$272,700.00 |
| 5 | 139 | Trent Thornton | $391,500.00 | ✓ | $325,000.00 | -$66,500.00 |
| 6 | 169 | Nestor Muriel | $293,100.00 | ✓ | $250,000.00 | -$43,100.00 |
| 7 | 199 | Michael Freeman | $219,600.00 | ✓ | $100,000.00 | -$119,600.00 |
| 8 | 229 | Garrett Stubbs | $176,000.00 | ✓ | $100,000.00 | -$76,000.00 |
| 9 | 259 | Zac Person | $164,200.00 | ✓ | $10,000.00 | -$154,200.00 |
| 10 | 289 | Scott Weathersby | $153,400.00 | ✓ | $5,000.00 | -$148,400.00 |
| Saving: | -$249,200.00 |